Two-Hour Turkey and Gravy
- 1 onion, halved or quarter
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves
- 3 to 4 rosemary sprigs (optional)
- 1 (12- to 14-pound) turkey
- 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, melted, or vegetable oil (optional)
- 1 quart turkey broth or canned chicken broth
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup cream (optional)
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Preheat oven to 450F.
- Put the onion, garlic, and rosemary, if using, into the empty turkey cavity.
- Place the turkey in a large roasting pan, breast side up, and brush with the butter or oil.
- Place in the oven, uncovered, and roast, unattended, for 1 hour.
- Carefully remove the turkey from the oven (close the door of the oven), watching out for steam.
- Brush the turkey with butter or its juices.
- Return to the oven quickly and reduce the heat to 400F.Roast another 30 minutes, checking the pan juices occasionally.
- Cover with foil if the breast is too brown.
- Cook another 30 minutes, adding stock if the pan juices evaporate.
- The turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted in its thigh registers 170F and the juices run clear.
- Let rest 10 minutes (the temperature should rise 10 degrees in 10 minutes).
- Remove the turkey to a board or platter for carving.
- Carve.
- Discard the onions and garlic from inside the turkey.
- The turkey can be made a day ahead and refrigerated before reheating, carved, or it can be carved 10 minutes after resting.
- If you decide to roast and carve the turkey ahead of time or if you want to freeze a portion of the turkey for another occasion, place the carved turkey in a shallow baking dish, cover it with broth, then wrap with foil or place the dish in a plastic bag; refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- When you are ready to serve, defrost, if necessary, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
- When you are ready to serve, defrost, if necessary, in the refrigerator, then bake in a 350F.
- oven for 30 to 45 or until heated completely through (or heat in the microwave).
- While the turkey is resting, place the pan over medium-high heat.
- The skin, fat, and juices should be a beautiful dark bronze, not black.
- Remove all but 1/2 cup of the fat.
- Keep as much of the juices as possible.
- Whisk the flour into the fat and cook, stirring, until the flour turns light brown.
- Whisk in the rest of the broth, and boil until thick and flavorful, stirring occasionally.
- Strain if lumpy or any part is burned.
- Add water or canned broth or stock if a thinner gravy is desired.
- Add as much cream as desired.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
onion, garlic, rosemary, turkey, butter, turkey broth, flour, cream, salt, freshly ground black pepper
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/two-hour-turkey-and-gravy-104130 (may not work)